"Do you believe in magic?"

I dangled the ruby necklace above my head as I leisurely sprawled across my bed, my hair spread across my pillow, even though my matron, Ms Angel, spent all morning trying to comb it down. I didn't really care that we had important visitors today, nor that Mother and Father spent a month making the necessary preparations. I was curious of one thing, however.

The Northerners were arriving in about an hour for some important discussion with my father. The Southside, my home, has been faced with all kinds of problems since I could remember. Our economy had since fallen apart. We no longer have a stable currency and we lived on barter trade. The death rate is impossibly high and numbers are going low. My family and I wouldn't leave the house because of the many diseases that are spreading. Then there are the rebels who are popping up each second.

My father, Lord Bailey, overtook the Lordship of the Southside when I was five. The people believed in him to make necessary changes but we were beyond repair.

The Northerners were prosperous, however. It was rare to see one since they remained on their side of the world. Our trade with them was slowly diminishing so contact with them was slowly being lost. Father hoped that the Northerners would have pity on us and lend us some sort of help. They probably had their own problems. Why would they bother with us?

Magic.

That was the last thing that made sense now. I believed in magic, like the one in the ruby necklace my grandmother left me. Everyone else doesn't believe it, but I do. I know it's true. I know one day I'll have a brighter future. One where I am not locked up in my father's house to be protected from sickness or war. This little ruby is the key, I just have to find the right keyhole.

"Amaya, it's time to meet the guests," Ms Angel said after knocking my door.

I looked to the door at the sound of my matron's voice. I knew she wouldn't wait around for me to leave my room. I sighed as I sat up, securing the gold chain around my neck and tucking the ruby under my high neck dress. I scrambled around for my shoes, finding a missing one under my bed before rushing out. Ms Angel shot me a glare as I darted past her, trying to tame my wild curly bronze locks. I would get a good scolding for tardiness and neatness, but that was a problem for another day.

Ms Angel practically raised me. My sister, Aimee, had a matron once, but she soon wasn't needed as my mother cast all her attention on her. I didn't envy her for that. I knew the pressure my sister had. She was the oldest. She was the one who was responsible for everyone else. It was only fair that she got more of mother's love. She needed it more. Plus, she was the only one who could tolerate Mother for a long time.

I caught up with my mother on the way to the receiving hall, not before bumping into a display table in the hallway. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mother's favourite vase tip over and crash on the marble floor. I froze in my tracks, my pulse drumming in my ears as my wide eyes took in the pieces scattered across the floor.

"Amaya!"

I winced at my mother's scream, cringing back. I bit my lip as she stomped towards me, disregarding the guests we had to meet. She wasn't even close enough to see me. How did she know it was me?

"What have you done?!" she yelled.

"Sorry," I mumbled, even though it was useless.

"I told you to be more careful. Now look at what you've done! That was the only piece your grandmother... Amaya!" She screeched, reaching for me with a scary look on her face.

"Shall I properly punish her later, Lady Isobel?" Ms Angel asked my furious mother.

I honestly did not understand what mother was angry about. She never really liked my grandmother. I did not understand what their dispute was about, but the two women hated each other with a passion. I didn't expect her to make such a fuss over this vase. It was ugly anyway.

"Send her away right now! I don't want to see her face!" Mother yelled and I flinched at the harsh tone. "To the kitchens with you, Amaya!"

"But mother!"

"Don't argue with me, Amaya!" My mother said to me, her voice stern and harsh as she cast me a glare.

"Mother, it was an accident!" I protested, trying to keep my voice down as the situation dawned on me.

"And you will pay for this accident," she said, pointing at me. "I've already told you how, so don't let me repeat myself!"

I grumbled as I stomped away, furious at my mother's stubbornness. It wasn't intentional but I was kind of glad the ugly thing was gone. It was a gift to my mother from my grandmother that had tormented my eyes for as long as I could remember. Mother disregarded the fact that I had nearly hurt myself and punished me by sending me to the kitchens to do the dishes. It was one of many methods our parents used as punishment, and my absolute worst nightmare. I could already feel the grime on my hands and shuddered.

"It's good that you joined us," the kitchen help, Miranda, teased me as I pulled up my sleeves and dug into the sink full of dirty dishes. "We needed the extra help."

"Shut up, Miranda," I snapped as I furiously and began to work, angry that she could insult me.

She snickered with her friends, evil villains I have come to despise. It was not my fault I was the daughter of Lord Bailey and they were mere peasants. Their envy was only pathetic in my eyes. I made sure to tell them that as much as I could. Soon, my clothes were spoiled and my hair stuck to my face as the dirty water splashed around. I never got to learn the art of washing dishes. I finished off with two large cauldrons that I had to scrub soot off of. I hauled them outside and settled on the lawn as I began to scrub as hard as I could, burning my palms and wrists in the process. Cauldrons were used to cook over coal fires. Electricity was only used for lighting. The power plant needed work but I doubted if it would last five more years.

"I hear the Northerners have arrived," Miranda and her friends chatted as they ate a couple of oranges from the orchard that they are prohibited to go to. "Guess who's stuck with us nobodies?"

I rolled my eyes and decided to ignore her.

"I wish one of them could whisk me away and marry me," Lin dreamt but Corey snorted.

Lin has always been a little... how should I put this? Dumb. It only makes it worse that she hangs out with blockheads like Miranda.

"Northerners don't mingle with us," Corey squashed Lin's fantasy.

"Then what about the alliance? Maybe things will change now that Aimee is marrying one of them," Lin argued.

I paused. It was no secret that Aimee and I were destined to marry some man who would bring some political power to our father. It was a fact I chose to ignore. I liked to imagine that I would fall in love with some pauper and run away with him to the mountains. It probably sounds stupid but it helps me sleep at night. Aimee was more resigned to her fate, however. In fact, she stopped believing in love.

Miranda shrugged. "I guess we should try our luck then."

I drowned them out as I finished the last of my work then got up with a sigh. My arms hurt from scrubbing, my legs from the crouching, my skin itched from the questionable soap and I was smelly. Worst of all, I was wearing my good clothes. I didn't get the time to change. My lovely velvet day dress was now completely covered in grime and soot. I was dusting myself up as best as I could when I realised that the girls were quiet as they stared at me. I frowned at them but turned when they looked behind me.

Our home was surrounded by a tall, grey wall that blocked the view of the rest of the city, which was mostly decrepit. It was meant to be a protective barrier. It worked sometimes. We were kept safe from outbreaks or from rebels. I thought it was hypocritical but it was there. They could have painted it yellow or something instead. The wall had a tiny gate that servants used as an entrance. A tall and large man stood blocking the entirety of the entrance, staring straight at me. From his sheer size, I could tell he was not from around here. His sharp green eyes glared down at me, making me shiver.

Nervous and self-conscious, I glanced at the now quiet girls. "How long has he been there?"

"Too long," Lin answered in a whisper.

This man was a Northerner, I think, and that intimidated us. To top it off, he was the size of a bear (not that I had ever seen one) and he came with an important delegation that was here to meet my father. However, I wondered how my parents would let him wander alone like this. I sucked in a breath as he approached me with long, confident strides. Soon, he was standing right in front of me, glowering down at me. I wished he could bother someone else.

"Are you lost?" I offered, my voice squeaking out.

He took a step back with a grimace. "Why did it have to be you? I mean, just look at yourself. You're pathetic."

Ouch. Did I do something wrong?

"Uh..."

"I reject you as my mate," he spat. "I never want to see you again."

I looked up at him in surprise. What is he talking about? Did he mistake me for someone else? As he turned to leave, I raised my hand to call him back but he grabbed my wrist. I gasped as I felt sharp electricity coursing over my skin and in my veins. The sensation burned and yet I didn't want it to go away. My eyes widened in surprise as I could only come up with one explanation.

Magic. This man had magic.

"Who are you?" I said before my knees gave in and a sharp pain tore through my chest, sending me down to the ground screaming.

He had released my hand and I whimpered on the hard ground, feeling the pain of a thousand knives everywhere on me. I glanced up at him, trying to seek solace from the man who did this to me, but he only stared down at me with an unreadable gaze. When I reached out to him, his face was set in a cold glare before he stomped away from me. The farther he went, the worst the pain became.

I screamed as I felt hands on me. I wriggled about trying to get away but I was held down. I was blinded by my tears, barely registering what was happening to me until darkness swallowed me.